Craig David Interview
How’s 2008 been going so far?
It’s been going really well actually, I’m just glad to have a new album out. I’ve got the world tour coming up, which I’m really excited about, that’s going to be for about nine months. It’s the third world tour, and it’s starting off quite crazy but then it’ll calm down in the middle luckily!
What else you got planned for the rest of the year?
I’m gearing up for the next single at the moment, keeping it all rolling, and I’ve been in and out of the studio writing songs for a girl called Rita Ora. She’s only 17, but she’s becoming really hotly-tipped right now.
Will you be playing any festivals this summer?
I have no idea yet, I think we’ll try to include them into the world tour schedule. If I am though, then you’ll be the first to know!
Does it feel good to be keeping busy again after a couple of years away?
Definitely, I think in this business you do need time to step back, but it’s fun to be back, yeah. I feel as passionate now as I ever have, only now I’m not running around like a headless chicken.
How would you describe the new album and how does it differ from ‘The Story Goes...’?
In terms of freedom and creativity, it reminds me of the first album. It was great to have all the time I needed and to not have constant phonecalls going “are there any songs like your other hits?” and “can you write a hit single?”. I used to get calls asking me to write songs that sounded like other songs I’d done, it was just like “no, then it’ll just be the same song again, I’ve already done that one!”. We went to Havana and really went for a live feel. I wanted to approach the album as a live show, because in the past I’ve been a bit too much of a perfectionist, doing things over and over again until they’re just right. And I think you lose something doing that, it’s great to just be able to capture a moment.
A lot of people have noticed your new look for this album- was that a deliberate decision?
I think as I was in song-writing mode, so I had the time free for once, and by virtue of that I managed to really get into a regime of going to the gym and going running, I was in the gym like a nutter! I guess it comes from being a slightly overweight child. It all just fell into place, when I came back with the new album I just felt mentally stronger as well.
Hot Stuff samples Let's Dance" de David Bowie – were you concerned about angry David Bowie fans at all when you made it?
Well, I had to go through him to get permission first, and obviously if he had said no I would’ve respected that completely, if he didn’t want his track changed from how he created it. But I wasn’t ever really bothered about what fans would think, no.
You worked with Sting back in 2002 and Kano last year - if you could work with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose?
I’d have to choose Marvin Gaye, definitely, that would have been amazing. There’s so many brilliant people that it’d be amazing to work with, but it’s always the ones that there isn’t possibly the chance to ever work with that are most appealing!
What new bands and acts would you recommend looking out for this year?
‘Wearing My Rolex’, the new single by Wiley, is great. It’s him rapping over a house track, with an electro bass line. Also Rita Ora has big things coming on, and I’m not just saying that cos I’ve worked with her. Kano too, I think he really could become a British export and show America that the UK has its own hip-hop scene too.
Last album you bought…
Kelly Rowland's new album, ‘Ms. Kelly’.
Last film you saw at the cinema…
Beowulf, I’m not sure how you pronounce that though!
Last TV show DVD you bought…
The second series of Extras.
Last gig you went to…
I saw Robin Thicke.
Craig David's new album, 'Trust Me' is out now. Buy the album on Amazon here.
14th February 2008.
Written by Will Martin.
